The rare soul scene in Europe and beyond

[viphitman]

Hi, I am one of those stompers from Mr Ms that are supposed to have killed off the northern scene way back in the early 70s -  but we had fun whilst doing it.

 

Since my return from Asia in 1998 I have been part of the soul scene here in Germany, especially in Hamburg. I think it could be of interest to know that the german rare soul scene developed out of the "roller scene" or the scooter scene. This scene I am told was at its peak in the 90s with up to 1000 scooterists meeting at a "scooter treff". The music covered a wide spectrum from Billy Ocean to the Yum Yums. Since then the numbers have dwindled and now we probably have around 30 "hard core" in Hamburg and  only a hand full in each of the major cities - the great thing is that most of us know each other so  that the allnighters are nearly always a big reunion - which makes the scene so special. Music includes oldies, modern and R&B, classic Uk oldies were frowned upon but are slowly making a come back as the prices for everything else rocket.

This is my personal impression of the german scene. Maybe some one else would like to chip in?

 

The foundations were laid by the mods around 1979-82 in Hamburg, Düsseldorf and other major cities in West Germany. But while the mods moved away from rnb, motown and a sprinkle of rare soul towards 60's garage, beat, psychedelic, power pop, punk only events the scooter scene started to get bigger and bigger. It's peak was early 90's were quite often an all-nighter was packed out with many hundreds of scooterists + some mods & skinheads. The numbers went down by the end of the decade but the music played at soul events became more and more diverse and dj's started to dig a little deeper. More people started to collect records and playing original vinyl became more and more important as well. The good thing is that most established all-nighters have nowadays an ovo policy but rather then playing the same old same old, many dj's try to find & play something different of each other. It wouldn't make sense if everyone would be chasing the same big ticket (upfront or oldie) as most people on the scene are not very wealthy and I guess you may have to think twice before you spent your hard earned cash. DJ’s try to distinguish themselves from each other a little through their individual playlist. It is more fun anyway when someone comes up hmmm nice what’s that one called ;) There are not that many opportunities to play them out anyway. Most dj's rather try to find an underplayed oldie, a newie or maybe an overplayed oldie in Britain but rarely heard in Germany which other dj's may not play within their set over here. Well, of cause there are also many many records soooo in vogue they will be chased be everyone ;) Also, the music policy at many all-nighters and the open minded approach by the dj's, promoters and punters towards a diverse playlist which often includes rnb, crossover, funky northern, modern, underplayed northern, classic northern or upfront sounds, do make all-nighters quite often that little more interesting & exciting to go to. After all if ya don't like a certain tune you can always have a chat, drink, fag or whatever until the next one drags ya on the floor. As an old avid UK soul collector you may know most tunes played over here but there will always be a handful of tunes you may not know. We do play quite a few oldies but also a lot of other stuff. Probably similar to the Stafford days. Dave, ya old chippie your numbers are a little low in my opinion ;)  In Hamburg I guess we have around 45 hard-core collectors, dj’s and nutty soulheads but also around another 100+ young & old northern soul ‘’fans’’ (normals, skins, mods, scooterists) who do like to go now and then and shuffle a little. The same goes more or less for Berlin, Munich, and Bremen. Other cities have less punters who quite often live miles away from each other. People in Stuttgart, Aachen, Dresden, Leipzig, Augsburg, and Düsseldorf do also a splendid job in organising nighters/weekenders. Nonetheless you are right the scene is very small but very dedicated and we do like to travel as well ;) Most nighters in Germany have around 80- 180 people in with some hard-core soulies some mods, skins, soulbillies ;) and soul infected newish normal punters strutting their stuff. ....and yes it always feels like a big reunion going to an allnighter ;)

 

Btw..... soul nighters were also continiously run by some early mods in Hamburg I think Olaf & Leif started off in 1983. Late 80's up to the late 90's northern soul was often played at mixed nighters/ mini nighters next to some ska, rocksteady & reggae...and as mentioned above very popular within the scooter scene in the 80's/90's... Soul was also played in the sixties & seventies at soul discotheques ;)

.......just come along to the Hamburg Soul Weekender in October ;)

Edited September 22, 2015 by viphitman

[Professorturnups]

Has anybody been to the events held in Vienna ?

Yes, I did the weekender there last year. Really good, several venues dotted around the city (absolutely wonderful place btw) - it isn't on this year so not sure if it was an experiment. I have also done Bamburg and Hamburg, Rimini and Cannonball in Italy, Madrid Niter and making a return trip to Hamburg in 2 weeks. Love the European weekenders, some of the music can get quite funky at certain places which isn't really my taste but overall I always have a ball.

Mark C

   

[Dave2]

Nice thread Steve.  My initiation to the scene began in Germany.  As a Brit abroad, I will always be indebted to the Munich soul family for looking after me.  The Babalu/ Atomic Cafe were my 100 Club, and the Loft was my Kings Hall J.   (When there was nothing on, I went to the actual 100 Club and Kings Hall.)  

German soulies are generally a diverse younger crowd of mixed friendlies (aged 20 to 50).  The key elements are tolerance, and an open-minded attitude on the floor to everything played, and everyone else.   Some allnighters don’t set tables with chairs out, so standing/ drinking space is floor space as the venue fills.  To dance, you just get in there!!  Drinks spillage is resolved by shed loads of talc.  No-one whinges, or gets too grumpy, and each to his/her own.  The success of the night is measured by the smiles on the faces of dancers (up for just about anything!) and OVO is a serious given in respect of the roots and knowledge of the music.  I’ve only danced in Berlin, Munich, Nuremburg, Bamberg, Hamburg, Augsburg and Frankfurt like many other Brits I imagine.  And enjoyed every single night!  Smaller venues are on the rise, with younger promoters working passionately raising the profiles of smaller towns.

Bamberg Weekender is popular, as is Hamburg, and Nuremburg. Germany has added bonuses; good food, beer, history, art and culture making weekend breaks a special experience if you want to sightsee (usually ends up pear shaped, as the record sales bars are where the magic happens!).  Berlin and Munich are superb to visit, but you need to book flights well in advance for best prices.

See you soon Dave.  You should know Steffi & I idolised your footwork to reach your standard! I think we turned out alright! J   And Frank, you need to hit the floor moves more often J

[Henning V Herzen]

Hi people.

I'm coming over to Birmingham on the 17th of october and am from Switzerland. We do a Soulnight called "Spin Club" every two months since about 10 years and have the Not too Young - Swiss Soul Weekender with its 5th edition in march 2016. We play a mixture of Soul, Funk, Gospel and original only. 

I decided to focus on lesser known stuff at Birmingham as some other HEAVYHITTERS like Nev Griffiths, Mark White, the Wood couple and Kevin Higham will play stuff of the highest order! So if you are interested in what we do in Switzerland and if you are open to listen to some lesser known and underplayed tunes from me please join this night and say hello!

Edited October 6, 2015 by Henning Börm